Sunday, January 31, 2010

Play Appeal...And a Giveaway

This Giveaway is Closed.
MaryAnne from Mama Smiles is the lucky winner!
With Christmas a month in the past, it is always interesting to observe which Christmas presents are being loved and which have already been forgotten.  This phenomenon happens each year in our house. It isn't that my children don't appreciate their gifts, it is just that some have more "play  appeal" than others.  This is what is currently being loved at my house.


We all love My Busy Kits, so when the company offered to send me one of their newly designed kits I was thrilled.  I wrapped it up and gave it to Wes as a Christmas present.  Of course, as I expected, he loves it.  We take it with us to appointments where "waiting" will be involved, to dinner at sit down restaurants, and on long car rides.  Busy Kits never disappoint!


All three kids have enjoyed this set of Melissa and Doug Lace and Trace Pet Cards available from Gummy Lump, an on-line shop specializing  in  creative and educational wooden toys for children ages 0-6.  Samantha likes to trace them onto paper, color or paint the animal shapes, and then cut them out.  She even used the cut outs to decorate a school project.  Gracen likes to lace them. It is great fine motor practice for her.  I have also pointed out to her that the down and up motion is good practice for learning to sew (which she really wants to do).  As for Wes, he really doesn't use the cards for their intended purposes.  He likes to lace the strings onto the cards just a little bit.  He then proceeds to pretend that the string is a fishing line and that he is "catching" the animals (doesn't seem to matter that the animals aren't all fish).  He also pretends that the strings are leashes and walks the animals around the house.  What can I say...he has a great imagination!

This Dolphin Explorer Boat has been one of Wes's favorites.  It is made by Sprig, an amazing eco-friendly toy company which makes battery-free, kid powered, expandable toys.  This Explorer Boat is a great bath toy, but it could also be used in pools and water tables. Wes plays with this just about every night. 


Wes loves to read about and play "Astronaut".  Therefore, he had this Explorer Rocket Ship from Back to Basics Toys at the tip top of his Santa list.  It set Santa back a couple of dollars, so I am very happy that he loves it so much.  He plays with it all of the time.  He also incorporates other toys into his play.  For example, he has used his unit blocks to create a launch pad and the surface of the moon .  I have to say ~ I love this toy, too.  It is made extremely well, was easy to put together (or so I am told ~ thanks, honey!), and came with lots of additional play pieces (martians, astronauts, and space vehicles).

According to my girls, we are one of the last families they know to get the Wii.    It may be true, as I am not a huge fan of gaming systems.  However, I have to admit, the Wii is a bit different.  We have all had a ton of fun playing bowling, golf, boxing, and tennis as a family.   The girls and John liked to play Super Mario Brothers.  I stink at it, so I usually just watch them.  They get very excited and quite competitive.  Thankfully, we are all good sports!
And last, but definitely not least, ... American Girl Dolls.  Samantha and Gracen play with them a LOT.  I am thrilled because I think too many little girls are trying to grow up too fast.  I like that my girls still find dolls entertaining and stimulating.  

How about your children?  What are their favorites?

Itty-Bitty Promotion and Giveaway
Promo ~ For the  month of February, My Busy Kits is offering my readers 20% off of their purchases.  To take advantage, simply enter the promo code "bittybookworm" at check out in their Google store.

Giveaway ~ Gummy Lump is offering one lucky reader a set of the Melissa and Doug Lace and Trace Pet Cards.

First Entry Requirement ~Visit Gummy Lump and then come back and leave me a comment about a toy your kiddo(s) would like. 
1. Become a Gummy Lump Fan on Facebook (1 entry). 
2. Follow Gummy Lump on Twitter.
3. Subscribe to Raising Itty-Bitty Bookworms. (1 entry)

*Make sure and leave a comment after this post for each entry so I can give you all the credit you deserve (and don't forget your email address too)! Winner will be announced Monay, February 11, and contacted by email. Winner has three days to contact me at contact@ittybittybookworm.com. After three days another winner will be drawn.*
**Sprig, Gummy Lump, and My Busy Kits all provided the toys for us to review.  However, as always, I blog with integrity and these are our honest opinions.

62 comments:

Julie said...

I think my kids would love the cutting food box.

MaryAnne said...

Johnny would love the Melissa & Doug architectural blocks - he is always building with our basic block set.

And, he really has thing for Uglydolls. I need to make him one...

MaryAnne said...

I'm following gummylump on twitter (@mamasmiles)

MaryAnne said...

and I subscribe to your blog

La Yen said...

I think my daughter would love the cutting birthday cake.

La Yen said...

And I subscribe to you.

Debbie said...

Selena would love the cutting food box.

Debbie said...

I am a fan on facebook.

Lynn said...

I just put those EXACT lacing cards in my cart to buy last night!! I think he is at an age where he would love them.

Lynn said...

I subscribe.

Lynn said...

I'm following gummylump on twitter (I_Bibliophile)

Gosfam said...

My kids would like the Pizza Party! Play Food by Melissa & Doug. So fun!!

mattles22 at yahoo dot com

Gosfam said...

I am a fan of Gummy Lump on facebook: Gosfam

Gosfam said...

I follow Gummy Lump on twitter: Gosfam

a49erfangirl said...

I think my kids would get a kick out of those big card board blocks.

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

a49erfangirl said...

I became a fan of Gummy Lump on face book as Stacie Lewin

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

a49erfangirl said...

I follow Gummy Lump on Twitter as a49erfangirl

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

a49erfangirl said...

I subscribe to Raising Itty-Bitty Bookworms

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

Annette W. said...

I really like the architectural blocks in addition to the lacing cards!
derekannette at gmail dot com

Willow said...

My girls would love the wooden food group foods.

Willow said...

I am a follower.

AJ and Adam said...

My sons would love the Melissa and Doug Train set!

AJ and Adam said...

I follow in Google Reader

Goat Gal said...

For sure the 100 piece Colored Wooden Building Blocks

Goat Gal said...

I follow on twitter @FifthStreetMama

Goat Gal said...

I follow your blog.

Heather said...

I just know my kids would love the shapes chunky puzzle. Simplicity is best for 2 year olds :)

I am now a fan of Gummy Lump.com on FB.

I am subscribed to your blog..:)

Ticia said...

My kids would love the pattern block set.

Ticia said...

I follow your blog.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Well, anything by Melissa and Doug is welcome in our house, but Anna would LOVE that birthday cake. I am still tempted to get her one.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

And I subscribe to you :)

Rebekah said...

My kids would love the grill set or the magnetic kitchen bottle set - or anything by melissa and doug of course.

Rebekah said...

we subscribe!

Tiff said...

the cutting food box. We just got them a play kitchen set so the food box I know they would enjoy.
markntiff777@msn.com

annesperry said...

Ooh...besides the lacing toy, my little guy would love the pizza party to go with his new play kitchen.

Susan-Chasing Marcus said...

Sophie would love the Melissa and Doug wooden blocks.

Susan-Chasing Marcus said...

I subscribe via google reader. Thanks!

Kimberly said...

Jack would love the cutting food box.

Kimberly said...

I subscribe via google reader

Kristen said...

My toddler currently has a few Melissa and Doug puzzles and loves them all. I would like to get the classic ABC wooden blocks set (loves learning letters) or the pattern blocks (loves learning shapes, too!). My baby girl is too little to play with anything, but I would love to get one of those cupcake or cookie decorating sets. ADORABLE!

kristen(dot)yaiko(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristen said...

I am a subscriber now!

kristen(dot)yaiko(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jen said...

I was just looking at getting these lace and trace pets and farm animals, so that's what I'd buy!

Rachel said...

My girls would love the pattern blocks and boards.

Rachel said...

I'm a gummylump FB fan now.

Rachel said...

I am a subscriber.

hippiechick said...

I am now a fan of Gummylump on Facebook.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

hippiechick said...

I am following Gummylump on Twitter.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

hippiechick said...

I am following Raising Itty-Bitty Bookworms.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My twins would love the Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy by Melissa & Doug! Too cute!

nmgills at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I became a fan on Facebook!

nmgills at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I follow on twitter, mgills

nmgills at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I subscribe!

nmgills at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I've been looking for something like this. I think my daughter would also like the Pattern Blocks and Boards by Melissa & Doug.

joycelau319 at yahoo dot com

Belinda M said...

My kid would love the 100 piece Colored Wooden Building Blocks



bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I follow gummylump on twitter as Prairiebelle



bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I subscribe



bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

another toy I know my son would like is the Plasma Car Blue by PlaSmart

billdebstanton@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

i subscribe to your blog.

chrissytina00 said...

My son would LOVE the latch board

Heather said...

My kids would have fun with the birthday cake or ice cream set.

Jennifer said...

My kids would love the Edushape giant blocks - especially if we had somwhere to store them! :)

jalambert@hawaii.rr.com

Valerie said...

My tot would love the birthday cake set or the latchs board.